Frog making machine



A ril 22, 1952 N. E. BRANSON 2,594,119

FROG MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. NA MAN 5 fem 501v April 22, 1952 N. E. BRANSON FROG MAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 20, 1948 INVEN TOR.

A/ATH/WV A". fienA/so/v April 1952 N. E. BRANSON FROG MAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 20, 1948 I N V EN TOR O O Norma/v Z". BIA/Mia A ril 22, 1952 N. E. BRANSON 2,594,119

FROG MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 JNVENTORE. A! M! M M 222 1 w MvrmA/fiien/vso/v April 1952 N. E. BRANSON 2,594,119

FROG MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 F l6. l8

INVEN TOR. NA THAN 5, flea/wow BY April 22, 1952 N. E. BRANSON 2,594,119

FROG MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 1948 s Shets-Sfieet a JNVENTOR. NATHA/V t, ieA/w'o/v BY A ril 22, 1952 N. E. BRANSON FROG MAKING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 20, 1948 ill INVENTOR. N4 mw i, flan/v50 N. E. BRANSQN April 22, 1952 FROG MAKING MACHINE a Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 20, 1948 INVENTOR. Mime/v El Fem/50m ATTORNEY! Patented Apr. 22, 1952 FROG MAKING MACHINE Nathan E. Branson, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Edmond C. Matignon, Oakland, Calif.

Application February 20, 1948, Serial No. 9,759

6 Claims. 1

' Forming Machine"; a pin setting or orienting element whose function it is to set or orient the pins in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern desired in the final product; and a molding element whose function it is to mold the base to produce the final product. While these several elements co-act to produce a unitary result, as will be apparent, and provide a machine which greatly accelerates the production of frogs and produces frogs of uniformly high quality, the several elements are also useful, as will be apparent, for other unit operations.

In the production of frogs as heretofore carried out, the operation of setting the pins in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pattern of the end product has been laboriou and time consuming. Thus, in one such method, pins having pointed tips and bifurcated or fish tail heads are made in the manner and with the machine described in my aforesaid copending application, and the pins so made are subjected, separately from the pin-making operation, to agitation to thread themthrough openings in a perforated die. in accordance with the predetermined pattern.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mode of operation and a machine whereby pins or other like objects, which are to be set in a predetermined pattern, can be set or oriented rapidly and accurately.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine capable of receiving headed pins as made and expelled intermittently but rapidly from a pin cutting machine, such as that of my above-mentioned copending application, and accurately setting the pins, in synchronism with the pin cutting machine, in a predetermined pattern.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a unitary structure or machine, embodying both a rapidly, intermittently operable pin cutting element and a pin setting element synchronized with the cutting element and adapted to set the pins in a suitable die in aci cordance with a predetermined pattern, the two said elements being operable from a common drive shaft.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a pin seting machine which is operable to receive pins one by one at a fixed point. and is mechanically operable to shift a perforated, pinreceiving die from point to point so as to present, in sequence, each perforation of the pin-receiving die to the said fixed point so as to receive a pin and to completely load, the die with pins.

It i a further particular object of the invention to provide a device for receiving a plurality of sets of headed pins, each arranged in a predetermined pattern, and to mold a base about the headed portions of the pins.

It is a still further particular object of the in vention to provide a unitary machine capable of receiving wire from a spool or coil, rapidly cutting the wire into headed pins, feeding the pins to and setting them in a receiving member in a predetermined pattern, and molding a base about the headed ends of the pins to produce a frog or the like.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

' which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the machine of the invention in its preferred embodiment, the omitted portion of the view omitting merely duplicate elements of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing in plan view the pin receiving dies, part of the cam element and the molding element.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken along the line l-4 of Fig. 2, showing the pin cutting element, the pin orienting element and the molding element.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary View, partly in front elevation and partly in section, showing the construction of the pin cutting and pin orienting elements.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the Geneva movement used to actuate part of the pin orienting element and also showing a part of the pneumatic pin ejector.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary section taken along the line 1- of Fig. '6, showingla part 'of the air passage employed in the pneumatic pin ejector.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective and on an exaggerated scale, of the orienting cams from which the pin orienting movement is derived, showing also a diagrammatic view of a pin receiving die.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pawl and ratchet mechanism employed to actuate the orienting cams.

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the line Illl of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a section taken along the line H-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the line I2-l2 of Fig. 5, showing certain details of construction of the pin orienting element.

Fig. 13 is a view in front elevation of the molding element, showing one of the pouring vessels in section.

Fig. 14 is a section taken along the line l4-l4 of Fig. 3, showing certain details of the molding element.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary detail in transverse section of the molding element, showing the means of transferring pins thereto.

Fig. 16'is a somewhat similar view of the molding e1ement,showing the manner of removing a molded frog.

Fig. 1'7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the molding element, showing the covers removed and the pin orienting dies in place.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section through the molding element showing certain details of construction.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs; 1 and 2, the machine is supported upon a table I having legs 2 and a top portion 3. Power is provided by a motor 4 bolted to the table and provided with a solenoid brake adapted to quickly bring the mechanically driven elements to rest when a cycle of operations has been completed. Power is transmitted from the motor to the machine through pulleys 6 and l, a belt 8 trained about the pulleys, a gear reducing box 9 and a drive shaft H carried at one end in the gear box 9 and at its opposite end in a bearing Ha. formed in upright brackets 25 and 26. A conventional push button switch and relay (not shown) may be provided for starting the motor 4.

The main elements of the machine, in the order described hereinafter, are a battery of pin cutting elements 15, an equal number of pin orienting elements IS, a cam element I! for actuating the pin orienting elements and a molding or casting element l8 for molding bases on the oriented pins.

The pin cutting elements Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, a main framework is provided by end brackets 25 and 25 and a longitudinal bracket 26a bolted thereto. The pin cutting elements 15 are supported upon the framework by means of keys 2? engaging keyways 28 and by bolts 29. The housing of each'cutting element i5 is formed by side walls 3!! and 3!, rear wall 32 and front wall 33. Within each housing are disposed two rotary cutting blades 37 and 38 keyed to parallel shafts 39 and 40, respectively. The shafts 39 and 40 are carried in bearings formed in the side walls 30 and 3| of the housing, one such set of bearings being shown at M and 42 in Fig. 5. Power for drivingthe cutting blades 31 and 38 is provided by a gear 43 keyed to the drive shaft l I, meshing with a gear M which is keyed to a hub 45 by a shear pin 56. The hub 45 is keyed to the shaft 39, as shown. A gear 5L], keyed to the shaft 39 on the opposite side of the bladeji'l, meshes with a similar gear not shown keyed to the shaft 40, thus providing an equal and opposite drive for the blade 38.

'The rotary cutting blades 37 and 38 are similar in design and function to the rotary blades described in my above-mentioned copending application Serial No. 708,585. That is, each of the blades 31, 38 is provided with a peripheral groove 52 having a narrow segment to grip the wire and pull therebetween a predetermined length of wire, and each blade is also provided with a cuttin member 53 located in a stepped bore 54 and adiustable therein by means of a set screw 55. Each cutting member 53 is provided with a V-shaped cutting tip 55. The tips 55 cut the wire to produce pins of predetermined length, each having a pointed tip and a bifurcated or fish tail head. As also described in my copending application, each cutting element is provided with a wire feeding means 60,.comprising a tube 5i, a collar 62 bolted to the housing, a chuck 63 to center the wire 64, a spring 65 to exert tension on the chuck, and a nut 66 engaging a pin 67 on the chuck when it is desired to thread a new piece of Wire through the tube 61.

The pin cutting element thus described differs from that described in my copending application mainly in the shape of rotary blades 3'! and 38 Which, instead of being circular in cross-section, are extended outwardly at 68, as shown, to provide clearance for the star wheel 15, which is described in detail hereinafter.

In operation, the cutting element 15 functions in the same manner as described in my copending application. A supply of Wire 64 is threaded through the tube 61 and between the blades 31 and 38. The latter rotate continuously, and during each revolution they grip the wire, pull through a predetermined length thereof, and then cut the wire to form a pin Til having a pointed tip and a fish tail head.

The pin orienting element The pin orienting element comprises a plurality of star wheels 15 and dies 76, equal in number to the cutting elements 15. Each star wheel is secured at one end of a shaft 11 which is rotatable in a bearing 18 formed in a block 19, which depends from and is secured to the housing of the adjacent cutting element. Sesured to the opposite end of the shaft Tl is a driven wheel 85. Rotation of each star wheel 15 is derived by means of a Geneva movement, comprising the driven wheel and a driving wheel secured to the shaft 40. The driving wheel 85 is provided with an inwardly projecting pin 86, which engages radial slots 8? of the driven wheel 85. The driving wheel 85, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, is also provided with a concentric locking surface 88 projecting inwardly therefrom, which engages an arced segment 89 of the driven wheel 80 to lock the same in fixed posi tion between the incremental movements thereof.

Each star wheel 15 is provided with radial passages to receive the pins Hi from the cutting element l5. A pin retaining member 96 depending from-the housing of the cutting element abuts againstthe star wheel to retain the pins in their respective passages 55. until a.

passage has rotated through 180 to the inverted position shown at 91 and is ready for ejection into the die 16.

The timing of the intermittent angular movement of the star wheel 15 is such that it advances 45 for each revolution of the cutting blades 31 and 38. Thus, it will be seen that each time a radial passage 95 is brought to pin receiving position, the diametrically opposite passage is brought to pin ejecting position at 91.

Positive means for ejecting the pins 10 from the passages 95 is providedby compressed air from a manifold I bolted to the bracket 26a. As shown more clearly in Fig. 6, the manifold I05 communicates with an outwardly opening valve I06 associated with each cutting element I5. The stem of each valve I06 bears against a cap I01 which is slidable over the valve body I08. The periphery I09 of driving wheel 95 acts as a cam, having a high point III) which engages the cap I01 at the moment a radial passage 95 of the star wheel 15 is brought to pin ejecting position. Air is thus admitted through the valve I06 and passes, first through a V-shaped duct I II, thence through a duct H5 and a duct H6 formed in the block 19. The latter duct widens into a cylinder II1 containing a piston IIB, which is forced by the air pressure against the star wheel 15, thus effectively sealing the end of the air passage and permitting escape of air only through the bore H9 in the piston to the radial passage 95, thus causing positive ejection of the pin. The plug and opening shown at I20 in Fig. 7 are merely for convenience in drilling and sealing the V-duct IIO.

The dies 16 are each in the form of a block having vertical perforations I25 of a diameter such as to receive the pins and to support them in vertical position but to allow the pins to slide through except when prevented by a bottom closure. These perforations are arranged in accordance with the desired pattern of pins in the final product. The dies I6 are carried in a rectangular framework I26 comprising longitudinal bars I21 and end bars I26. The end bars I28 are provided with keys I29 slidable in keyways I30 formed in brackets I22. A bottom closure for the dies 16 is provided by means of a plate I3I slidable in grooves I32 formed in the longitudinal bars I21. The plate I3I is provided with openings I33 for a purpose hereinafter described, and it is urged to the right, with the solid portions abutting the dies 16 to serve as a bottom closure therefor, by means of a spring I34 secured to the plate I3I at one end by a bracket I35 which rides in a slot I36, and at its opposite end to the framework at M0. Finger holds are provided at I4I as a means of pushing the closure to the left to open position.

Locking arms I42 pivoted at I43 are also provided, and in the angular position shown in Fig. 3, these arms lock the framework I26 and dies 16 in the inward or pin-receiving position, but upon turning the arms inwardly against the action of the springs I44, the framework is unlatched and can be pulled outwardly to transfer the pins to the molding element as described hereinafter.

The pin orienting element I6 also comprises a structure generally designated as I45, which provides support for the framework I26 and the dies 16 and which imparts longitudinal and transverse movement thereto. The structure I45 is betterf'understood and is described hereinafter with reference to the cam element I1.

and 26.

rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft I58.

The cam element The orienting movement of the dies 16 is derived from the cam element I1. As shown in Fig. 1, this element comprises a ratchet wheel I50 and upper and lower cams I5I and I52, all of which are keyed to.a commonshaft I53 and reinforced by pins I54. As' shown in Figs. 1 and 10, a bevel gear I55 keyed to the drive shaft meshes with a bevel gear I56 having a. hub I51 An eccentric insert I59 keyed to the hub I51 by a shear pin I60 is provided, and a pawl I is rotatably' mounted on the insert I559 to allow pivotal movement of the pawl thereon.

As will be seen by reference to Figs. 9 and 10, rotation of the hub I51 and of the eccentric insert I59 will impart to the pawl I65 a reciprocating motion and will impart to the ratchet I50 an intermittent angular motion as the pawl successively engages the teeth I66 of the ratchet. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ratchet I 50 is provided with a stop button I61, and adjacent the ratchet is a switch box I60 containing a suitable switch element (not shown) and having an arm I69 provided with a roller I10. When the ratchet I50, hence also the cams I5I and I52, have completed one revolution, the roller I10 engages the button I61, thus raising the arm I69 resulting in opening the switch in box I68. The switch is connected by suitable leads (not shown) with the motor circuit and with the solenoid circuit, thus bringing the motor to an immediate stop when a single revolution of the ratchet I50 has been completed.

A holding pawl I15 is also provided, this pawl being rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft I58 and being provided with a. pin I16 adapted to nest between adjacent teeth of ratchet I50 and to hold the same in fixed. position between the feed strokes of the driving pawl I65. Leaf springs I11 and I18 secured to a bracket I19 hold the driving pawl I65 and the holding pawl I15, respectively, firmly in engagement with the teeth of ratchet I50.

The resulting intermittent, angular movement of the cams I5I and I52 is imparted to the dies 16 through the structure I45 above mentioned and upper and lower cam followers I and I BI. The upper follower I80 is provided with rollers I82 at each. end, as shown, and the followers are slidable through a block I83.

The structure I45 comprises, and is largely enclosed by a box-like base I formed from end pieces I9I, side pieces I92, a cover portion I93 and a bottom portion I94, the latter being provided with openings I95. The base I96 is supported by rods I96 passing through both end pieces I 92 and anchored in the end brackets 25 The base I90 is also slidable along the rods I96, longitudinally of the machine.

Longitudinal movement of the base I96, hence of the framework I26 and the dies 16, is derived from the lower cam I52 by its action upon the lower follower I8I, which bears against a block I98 secured to the adjacent end of the base I90. This force slides the base I90, and with it the framework I26 and dies 16, longitudinally of the machine along the rods I96. A shaft I99 is provided at the opposite end of the base, which is complemental to the follower I8I. This shaft passes through a block 200 and is urged to the right by an arm 2,05 pivoted at 206 and loaded by aspring 201so as to positively urge the base I90 and the follower IBI to the right. and to maintain the latter firmly in engagement with the lower cam I 52.

Transverse movement of the framework I26 and dies I5 is provided as follows: Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 12, the cover portion I93 is slidable over end and side pieces I9l and I92 cf the base I00. Depending from and secured to the cover I93, at each end thereof, are two parallel, spaced plates 208, each having a transverse bore 209 to receive. a slide rod 2I0 which runs transversely of the base I90 and is anchored in the side pieces I92 thereof. Secured to the bottom of each plate 208 are trackways 2| If'and a plate 2I5 which is slidable through a slot 2I6 formed in the adjacent end piece IBI, is guided for longitudinal movement by the trackways 2II. Each plate 2I5 is provided with a flange 2I'I at its outer end to increase the bearing surface, and the two plates 2I5 are connected or bridged by a strip of sheet metal 2I8. Secured to the underside of each plate 2H5 are two spaced bars 2!9 forming a keyway 220 which is disposed at a 45 angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

A key 22I secured to a block 222 which in turn which is 45 from the longitudinal axis of the machine, while the slide rods 2I0 confine the movement of the framework to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

As in the case of the lower cam follower I8I, there is also provided on the opposite side of the base I90, a shaft 223 complemental to the upper cam follower I80 and having similar rollers 224. Similarly, a pivoted arm 225 loaded'by a spring 226 bears against the shaft 223 to hold the upper cam follower I80 positively and firmly against the upper cam I5I.

Referring now to Fig. 8 of the drawings, the points 230 of each cam form arcs of concentric circles 23I spaced a given distance apart, e. g., one-tenth of an inch. This spacing is the same as the spacing of the perforations I25 in the dies it. The radial lines 232 are equiangularly spaced and they are equal in number to the perforations I25 in a single die I6 and to the number of teeth I66 in the ratchet I50.

Taking the perforation 233, whose index or rectangular co-ordinates are I, 6, as the origin or starting point, a pattern is first worked out on the die 70 by trial and error, such that a pattern of movements is developed whereby each perforation in turn can be reached without omission I26 a component,

or repetition. When this pattern of movements has been worked out, the pattern of the cams I5I and I52 is worked out with the aid of the indexing shown in Fig. 8. It has been found-that such a pattern can be derived as will result in orienting each of the perforations in pin-receiving position by a succession of movements each of which, except one, is parallel to or is at 90 given in the table below, in which 'the one diagonalmovement is underscored.

TABLE Index Nos. Index Nos.

Pin Ordinate Abscissa Pin Ordinate Abscissa (upper (lower (upper (lower earn 151) cam 152) cam 151) cam 152) index number is 2, 6.

In this table. Pin No. 1 indicates the first pin inserted, being that pin whose index number is 1, 6. Pin No. 2 is the second pin inserted, being that pin whose A1s0, Pin No. 1 and Pin No. 2 correspond .to the first and second cam movements, and the indices 1. 6 and 2, 6 correspond to the first two operative positions of the cams 151 and 152.

It is thus apparent that, as the drive shaft II rotates, thus actuating the pin cutting elements I5 and the star wheels 15 as described above, the cams I5I and I52 are also actuated in synchronism with the cutting elements and the star wheels; and it is also apparent that the cams will orient the dies 16 in a succession of pinreceiving positions so as to load each die with a full set of pins. When the last pin has been inserted in each die, the machine will be brought to an immediate stop as explained above, in readiness for the next cycle of operations. The framework I26 containing the loaded dies I6 is then removed from the pin orienting element in the manner described above and is transferred to the molding element I8 described hereinafter.

The molding element The molding element I8 comprisesa 'molding structure 250 and a pouring structure 25L The latter comprises a manifold 252 communicating with a supply of molten lead or other molten metal from which the base of the frog is to be molded. The molten metal is constantly circulated through the manifold by suitable means (not shown). The manifold is provided with pouring outlets 254, and beneath each outlet 254 is a pouring and measuring vessel 255 carried in an outer sleeve 256 and sealed by inner sleeves 251. The pouring vessels 255 are carried by a broken shaft 258 carried in bearings 259 formed in brackets 260, and they can be rotated from filling to pouring position by a handle 265 at one end of the shaft. Each outer sleeve 256 is provided with inlet and outlet openings 266 and 261, respectively, and with a smaller breather opening 268, as shown in Fig. 4. Each pouring vessel 255 is provided with an opening 269 for filling and pouring and with a smaller, breather opening 210.

The molding structure 259 comprises a hinged cover member 21l, a mold section 212 and a base 213. The entire structure is slidable transversely of the machine by means of keys 215 engaging keyways 216. The cover member 21I, comprising lids 219 joined by bars 280, is hinged to rod 285 by ovate slots 286 formed on brackets 281. Each lid 219 is provided with an opening 288 for receiving molten metal. A spring 289 compressed against one of the brackets 281 urges cover member 21I to the right to align the lids 219 with the respective mold cavities 290, as shown.

The mold section 212 is provided with a plurality of mold cavities 25%), equal in number with the dies 75 in the framework I26, and it is further provided with notched flanges 29I having diagonal cam surfaces 292. The base 213 is provided with perforations 293 to receive the pins 10, the pattern of the perforations 293 being the same as in the dies 16. Abutting the base 213 along each side thereof is a cam bar 294 having diagonal cam surfaces 295 complemental to the cam surfaces 292 of the flanges 29I.

Two foot treadles 29-5 and 296 are provided to actuate the cam bar 294 and the cover member 21I, respectively, in the manner and for the purposes set forth hereinafter. Springs 291 and 298 urge the treadles upwardly, and links 299 and 300 connect them to pivoted levers 30I and 302, as shown. Further details of construction comprise the slidable bottom closure 303, shown most clearly in Fig. 18, having openings 304 adapted to register with the openings 305 in the base 213.

In operation, when a set of dies 16 is loaded with pins as described above, the framework I26 is removed from the pin orienting element of the machine, and it is placed on top of the mold section 212. As shown most clearly in Fig. 17, the framework I26 is accurately aligned with respect to the mold cavities 290 by means of keys I29 formed on the end bars I28 engaging keyways 301 formed in the ends of the molding structure, and by means of spring loaded pins 308 engaging notches 309 formed in the end bars. With the framework I26 thus aligned, the bottom closure l3l is shifted to the left by pushing the finger holds MI manually. The pins drop from the dies 16 into the corresponding perforations 293 of the base 213, where they are held in vertical position and with their heads protruding into the mold cavities 290, by means of the bottom closure 303. The framework I26 and the dies 16 can be immediately returned to the pin orienting element for reloading with pins.

The pouring vessels 255, each of which always contains a measured amount of molten metal, are then inverted to pouring position by means of the handle 265. A stream of molten metal falls from each vessel and through the openings 288 in the underlying lid 219, thus filling the respective mold cavity with the metal. While the cast metal is still soft, the sprues formed in the openings are sheared off by stepping on the foot treadle 296. This causes the lever 302 to engage the adjacent end of the cover member 2 1I, pushing it to the left to shear off the soft metal at the upper level of the mold cavities. The molding structure is then pulled outwardly along the keyways 216, to the position shown in Fig. 15, so as to be clear of the manifold 252. The cover member 21| is then pivoted to the open position, as shown in Fig. 16 (which causes the sheared sprues to fall out), and the treadle 295 is de! pressed. This urges the cam bar 294 to the right, thus raising the mold section 212 to the position shown in Fig. 16. By this means the pins 10 of the frogs 3l0 are raised clear of the base 213, sufficiently that they can be lifted manually or by tongs without danger of bending the pins or damaging the base of the frog.

If for any reason, such as a defective pin or pins, it is desired to remove the pins 10 from the base 213 before casting the metal, such removal may be effected, as will be clear from Fig. 18, by sliding the bottom closure 303 to the right .to align the openings 304 with the openings 305. The pins will thenfall out of the bases 213..

It is thus apparent that a machine has been provided which is fast and dependable in opera,- ticn; which accurately and neatly times a sequenceof operations necessary for making frogs and the like, such that a single operator can attend a battery of units, each capable of cutting pins, orienting the pins and molding the final product; and which embodies numerous features rendering more eliicient each of the unit operations.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is;

1. A machine for making frogs and the like comprising: a rotatable drive shaft; a pin cutting element comprising a pair of tangentially disposed, rotary pin cutting members adapted to receive a wire and to cut a pin of predetermined length during each revolution of said cutting members; means operatively connecting said drive shaft with said cutting members to rotate the latter continuously; a rotary pin transmitting element adapted to receive pins from said cutting members at apin-receiving position and to eject the pins at a pin ejecting position; means operatively connecting said transmitting element with said drive shaft to impart intermittent angular movement thereto in synchronism with said cut ne membe s o rec ve p ns therefrom; at our receiving die provided with pin-receiving perforations defining a plurality of pin-receiving positions; a support for said die slida'ble along either of two intersecting lines; and means operatively connected with said drive shaft and operable to slide said die in increments along either of said lines from a first pin-receiving position in sequence to each of the remaining pinreceiving positions in synchronism with the ejection of pins from said pin transmitting element.

2. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary pin cutter adapted to receive a continuous length of wire and to cut the same into pins, rotary pin feeding means for receiving each pin from said pin cutter and transferring it to a delivery station, pin setting means shiftable in two directions to move in a plane adjacent said pin delivery station and having pin retainers to receive and retain pins in a predetermined pattern, a common drive shaft, means operatively connecting said pin cutter with said common drive shaft, means operatively connecting said pin feeding means with said drive shaft, and means operatively connecting said pin setting means with said drive shaft, said connecting means being operable to rotate said pin cutter and pin feeding means and to shift said pin setting means in timed relationship to receive each pin from the pin cutter, to transfer each pin to said delivery station and to shift the pin setting means to align the pin retainers in sequence with the delivery station.

3. A machine of the character described comprising means for supplying pins one by one at a pin receiving station, rotary pin feeding means for receiving each pin at said station and transferring it by rotation to a pin delivery station, air jet means operable to eject each pin from the pin feeding means at said delivery station, shiftable pin setting means shiftable in two directions to move in a plane adjacent said pin delivery station and having pin retainers to receive and retain pins in a predetermined pattern, means for driving said pin feeding means and for shifting said pin setting means in timed relation to supply a pin to each pin retainer and to move the pin setting means step-by-step to align the pinretainers in sequence with the pin delivery station, and valve means operable by rotation of said pin feeding means to deliver a blast of air thereto for ejecting each pin at said delivery station.

4. A machine of the character described comprising a'rotary pin cutter adapted to receive a continuous length of wire andrto cut the same into pins, rotary pin feeding means for receiving each pin from said pin cutter and transferring it to a delivery station, pin setting means shiftable; in two directions to move in a plane adjacent said pin delivery station and having pin retainers to receive and retain pins in a predetermined pattern, a, common drive shaft, means operatively'connecting'said pin cutter with said common driveslfaft, means operatively connectby rotation of said pin feeding means to deliver a blast of air thereto to eject each pin at the delivery station.

5. A machine of the character described com-,

prising a, rotary pin cutter adapted to receive a continuous length of wire and to cut the same ing said pin cutter, said pin feeding means and i said pin setting means in timed relationship to supply a pin to each radial passage at said receiving station, to deliver each pin to said delivery station and to shift said pin setting means step-by-step to bring the pin retainers in sequence into alignment with said delivery station.

6. A machine of the character described comprising a rotary pin cutter adapted to receive a continuous length of wire and to out the same into pins and deliver each pin at a pin receiving station, rotary pin feeding means provided with radial passages to receive said pins at said pin receiving station, and to transfer each pin by rotation to a pin delivery station, shiftable pin setting means shiftable in two directions to move in a plane adjacent said pin delivery station and having pin retainers to receive and retain pins in a predetermined pattern, means for driving said pin cutter, said pin feeding means and said pin setting means in timed relationship to supply a pin to each radial passage at said receiving station, to deliver each pin to said delivery station and to shift said pin setting means step-bystep to bring the pin retainers in sequence into alignment with said delivery station, and air mg said pin feedingmeans With said drive shaft,

means operatively connecting said pin setting means with said drive shaft, said connecting means being operable to rotate said pin cutter and pin feeding means andto shift said pin setting means in timed relationship to receive each pin from the pincutter, to transfer each pin to said delivery station and to shift the pin setting means to align the pin retainers in sequence with the delivery station, and air jet means for ejecting each pin at said delivery station, said air jet means including a valve operable jet means for ejecting each pin from its radial passage, said air jet means including a valve operable by rotation of said pin feeding means to deliver a blast of air to each radial passage when it reaches said pin delivery station.

' NATHAN E. BRANSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: a

UNITED STATES PATENTS Loungway June 16, 1944 

